Rebecca McDonnell is one of the most successful table tennis players in the country. Born with cerebral palsy, she was the first Australian to compete at the Para-table tennis world championship level. She has since competed in a stream of competitions including the US Open and the 2007 Hong Kong Table Tennis Open.

Going to Switzerland for the World Championships and representing Australia at the Beijing Paralympic Games have stood out as career highlights for Rebecca. She plans to compete in as many international competitions as she can in preparation for her second Paralympics in London.

Rebecca first competed in table tennis in 1999 and has continued to achieve in the sport ever since. Making her debut in national colours at the 2005 Asian Oceania Championships, she went on to be named the Table Tennis Australia AWD Best Player in 2007/08. The Victorian won the 2007 US Open before taking on the number one ranked player in the world in a marathon five set match at the Beijing 2008 Games. In a highly competitive tussle, Rebecca lost in the deciding set.

This strong-willed individual uses Roger Federer as a role model in working towards her own sporting aspirations. A twin and Girls Brigade leader, Rebecca enjoys walking and watching TV away from the demands of competition, listing Bones as her favourite television show.  

She believes you should never give up and will use this attitude in her quest for Paralympic Games glory in London. While Rebecca is driven in her pursuit of performance, she believes in living a balanced existence and focuses on contentment in all aspects of her life - work, sport and family.